Tennessee’s football program suffered an unexpected shake-up as special teams coach Mike Ekele announced his departure, opting to join Nebraska over competing offers from Texas and Auburn. The move has sent ripples through Vol Nation, as Ekele played a key role in Tennessee’s special teams success, contributing to the team’s rise in recent years.
Ekele’s decision to head to Lincoln instead of joining powerhouse programs like Texas or Auburn has raised eyebrows. While Texas and Auburn both presented strong cases with their recruiting power, SEC status, and recent coaching investments, Nebraska offered a fresh start under an evolving program in the Big Ten. Sources close to the situation suggest that Nebraska’s vision for rebuilding and Ekele’s opportunity to have a bigger role in player development factored into his choice.
“This was not an easy decision, but I believe in what Nebraska is building, and I’m excited to be part of something special,” Ekele stated in his departure announcement.
For Josh Heupel and the Vols, replacing Ekele will be a priority, especially with the importance of special teams in tight SEC matchups. The Volunteers will now look for a coach who can maintain and further elevate their special teams efficiency as they continue their push toward national contention.
While some Tennessee fans expressed disappointment over the departure, others acknowledged that Heupel has consistently made strong coaching hires and expect the Vols to land another high-quality replacement.
With Ekele headed to Nebraska, both Texas and Auburn will have to look elsewhere to fill their special teams coaching needs. Nebraska fans, meanwhile, are celebrating the hire, hoping that Ekele’s SEC experience and recruiting connections will help elevate their program in Matt Rhule’s second year as head coach.
